BEIJING — A major Chinese government news service used a racist slur to describe the departing U.S. ambassador in a mean-spirited editorial Friday that drew widespread public condemnation in China.

The column — which called Gary Locke a “rotten banana,” a guide dog for the blind, and a plague — reflected Chinese nationalists’ acute loathing of the first Chinese-American to have been Washington’s top envoy to Beijing.

Mr. Locke’s ethnic background interested the Chinese government and people. He won public applause for carrying his own bag and flying economy class, but drew criticism from Beijing as his demeanour was an unwelcome contrast to Chinese officials’ privileges and entitlements.

Asked about the China News Service commentary, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, “We are not going to dignify the name-calling in that editorial with a response.”

In his 2½ years in Beijing, Mr. Locke oversaw the defusing of two delicate diplomatic episodes when a powerful police chief fled to a U.S. consulate and a blind activist sought shelter in the embassy. Ordinary Chinese also credit him with publicizing the dangers posed by the tiny pollutant PM2.5 and severity of China’s foul air by posting the embassy’s hourly readings of air quality.

Meanwhile, editorials in Chinese state media turned from initial reservation to unfriendliness to insolence.

“I think it shows the unfriendliness and impoliteness by the Chinese government toward Gary Locke, and it is without the manners and dignity of a major power,” legal scholar Hao Jinsong said. “It is unfitting of China’s status as a diplomatic power. As a Chinese, I am very angry and feel ashamed of it.”

The editorial “Farewell, Gary Locke” referred to the ambassador’s identity as a third-generation Chinese-American, calling him a “banana,” a racial term for Asians who identify with Western values.

“But when a banana sits out for long, its yellow peels will always rot, not only revealing its white core but also turning into the stomach-churning colour of black,” it read.

‘When you call him a plague, you become a national shame’

The author Wang Ping — likely a pseudonym — slammed Mr. Locke’s image as an official judicious with public funds, saying he was a hypocrite for using a multimillion-dollar official residence and bullet-proof luxury vehicle.

The piece shocked some Chinese, who called it distasteful and offensive.

“This article by China News Service is the most shameless I have ever seen — not one of them but the most shameless,” the popular online commentator Yao Bo said. “Without him, we probably still would not have known what PM2.5 is.”

Added commentator Fastop Liu, known for his sharp tongue, “When you call him a plague, you become a national shame as you lack diplomatic etiquette, damage the manner of a great power, and lose the face of all Chinese.”

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.